Ratchet with force indicator

Abstract

A ratchet strap tensioning mechanism includes a barrel defining an axis of rotation and a body and a handle coupled via the barrel. Each of the body, handle and barrel is independently rotatable about the axis of rotation. At least one ratchet gear wheel is mounted to the barrel at a position between a portion of the body and the handle. A driver rotatably drives the at least one ratchet gear wheel about the axis of rotation and a pawl restricts rotation of the at last one ratchet gear wheel about the axis of rotation. A force indicating device is connected to at least one of the body and the handle. The force indicating device is operable to indicate to a user when a predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ratchet strap tensioning mechanism comprising:
 a barrel defining an axis of rotation; 
 a body and a handle coupled via the barrel, wherein each of the body, the handle and the barrel is independently rotatable about the axis of rotation; 
 at least one ratchet gear wheel mounted to the barrel, the at least one ratchet gear wheel being to the barrel at a position between a portion of the body and the handle; 
 a driver for rotatably driving the at least one ratchet gear wheel about the axis of rotation; 
 a pawl for restricting rotation of the at last one ratchet gear wheel about the axis of rotation; and 
 a force indicating device connected to at least one of the body and the handle, the force indicating device including a lever separate from and rotatable relative to the handle, wherein the force indicating device is operable to indicate to a user when a predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism, 
 wherein the force indicating device further comprises a resilient member, and 
 wherein the resilient member is a click spring. 
 
     
     
       2. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the force indicating device is rotatable relative to the handle about another axis. 
     
     
       3. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a position of another axis is movable relative to the handle to adjust the predetermined force. 
     
     
       4. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the resilient member is mounted to the lever. 
 
     
     
       5. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the resilient member is mounted to the handle. 
 
     
     
       6. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the lever is operable to contact the handle at an area of force, and a position of the area of force is movable to adjust the predetermined force. 
     
     
       7. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism is formed form a plastic material. 
     
     
       8. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the force indicating device provides a haptic feedback to the user to indicate when the predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The ratchet strap tensioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the force indicating device provides audible feedback to the user to indicate when the predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
       10. A method of operating a ratchet strap tensioning mechanism comprising:
 rotating a handle about an axis of rotation; 
 driving a barrel and one or more ratchet gear wheels affixed to the barrel about the axis of rotation in response to rotating the handle; 
 rotating a lever of a force indicating device, the lever of the force indicating device being separate from and rotatable relative to the handle; and 
 indicating when a predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism, 
 wherein indicating when the predetermined force is applied further comprises opposing a biasing force of a resilient member of the force indicating device, and 
 wherein the resilient member is a click spring. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein indicating when the predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism includes generating a haptic feedback. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein indicating when the predetermined force is applied to the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism includes generating an audible or visual feedback. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising adjusting the predetermined force indicated by the force indicating device. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein adjusting the predetermined force indicated by the force indicating device includes adjusting an axis of rotation of the force indicating device. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein adjusting the predetermined force indicated by the force indicating device includes adjusting a location at which the force indicating device contacts the handle of the ratchet strap tensioning mechanism.